Background

Vicki Austin began dog training as an amateur in 1984, successfully competing in officially sanctioned, Australian National Kennel Control (ANKC), Obedience Trials.

She attained the highest award in Australia of Australian Obedience Champion.

Over the next twelve years she held official positions of Chief Instructor and President of two large dog training clubs in Sydney.

In 1990 she began her dog obedience judging career and by 1995 held her full-panel Obedience Judge’s Licence under the ANKC.

Vicki began her own dog training/behaviour modification business on the north-side of Sydney in 1993 and built up her clientele and reputation, resulting in a successful business venture.

In 1998, Vicki accepted the position of Manager of Training with a large boarding and Dog Training Centre in Sydney, achieving excellent (documented) results.

Vicki trained the first Quarantine Detector Dogs and Handler teams for the French government of New Caledonia and also trained detector dog teams for the state governments of Tasmania and Western Australia.

A slight career path change in 2001 saw Vicki employed by Taronga Zoo in Sydney as a trainer and presenter of their Free Flight Bird Show. She was also utilised as a training consultant to other Zoo divisions. She continues to act as a consultant trainer and instructor of trainers to the Marine Mammal Division.